Rapsody interview with the Breakfast Club
We've been discussing queerness in HH for the last few weeks. And, I'm enjoying learning from you. Today, I suggested you take a look at the Rapsody Breakfast Club interview. I'm including it here for your perusal (the link can be found above). However, I'd like you to consider this. Is Rapsody an indication that women can be "real" without being sexualized or queered in HH? Will they ever be seen without the sexual or gender normative behavior? Can they just be an emcee instead of a femmecee?
Due: by 10/11/17 by the beginning of class.
I do agree that Rapsody is an example of originiality in Hip-Hop. She doesn't let the industry or the constant need to change with society influence her decisions with her music, career, or even personal life. She understands what is happening around her, and knows that there are mainstream artists who do try and fit in, however that is just who they are, just like knowing who you are is Rapsody. I do not believe that there will be a day were sexual or gender normative behavior will be seen. With the country trying to get everyone to accept cultural differences, everyone feels the need to fit in, join the crowd, or say I can be this way, because I know that this certain audience will buy my music. However, I do believe that females can become emcee's instead of femmecees. Its called taking a stand. For example Lauryn Hill has not been in the music spotlight for quite sometime now, and that is due to her staying true to herself, and knowing that her "originiality" and dignity comes before the industry, yet and still she is considered one of the greatest emcee's. I feel that if women in the industry would do more standing up for what they believe in, instead of doing what sells, then they will be successful.
ReplyDeleteThe attached picture below speaks volume when talking about originiality. Rapsody is a female emcee from North Carolina, and does not have any grey areas where she feels like she has to accommodate or fit in with the industry. She as well as Lauryn Hill have set the bar high.
https://static.vibe.com/files/2016/11/rapsody-1479397428-640x640.jpg
I like how you said that female rappers need to get together and stand up against these issues. Lot of these female rappers be really in their egos not seeing the big picture. It would be great to see Cardi , Nicki , Maybe even some old heads come together in one song and slay that record. Stand up against the norms. Same thing what Kim, Missy, Left Eye , Da Brat did with the song Ladies Night.
DeleteI do partially agree with that yes Rapsody is that one of this generation that can be that one female rapper that breaks the odds and created norms that females are put under. She is defining female rap this generation without being overly sexual. However I don't know how much attention she will receive don't get me wrong yes in the past we have had female rappers who made it without being overly sexual. But than we have our Kims and ect.. who took a lot of spotlight and had longevity in hip hop and especially touching top 40 radio as well and hitting mainstream america. They were never ever be a time where female rappers will be seen in gender or normative behavior. Its all systemic from bottom up from up to down its all embedded. Yes their will always be that one queen but as long as the industry is male dominated it will never change. It may get better plus we also failed to mention that Ms. Lauryn Hill also got vocals and is very versatile with her vocals. That also gained her top 40 and Hip Hop exposure. White america may not know her bars but they all know the course when lauryn sings. Its not too pop its not too R&B its just right we all keep forgetting about that edge she had over her comp at that time. Last I want to say nope female rappers will always be looked at as femmecee its just the name of the game. Is it worth it you can work you put you thing down flip it and reverse it but. As long as this problem is not fixed at the deep root only few will know how to work it.
ReplyDeleteHere is a deep video clip on what I mean by this issue is deep rooted https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKbwf10hRiE
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ReplyDeleteAs I observe the hiphop community, black community as well as society, I can see that the image of certain artist are being misconstrued due to gender norms and stereotypes. Rapsody is an amazing artist who is very underrated. She lets her art speak for itself although people try to interpret it in different ways. Rapsody does not over sexualize her image to fit the ‘idea’ of what a female artist should look like. However, if you watched the Breakfast Club interview, she states that 9th Wonder, her producer encourages her to be who she wants artistically and physically. Many female artists do not have the same support system and that is an issue within the industry.
ReplyDeleteAnother issue w/I the industry is that women are seen as over sexual if presented in a specific way. It should not matter if an artist chooses to wear more clothes or less, rock weave or natural hair. A female artist is not a good artist because of how she presents her appearance, it is about how she presents her art, her brand. Society’s views not only influences how we view female rap artist, it also shapes the way we perceive the LGBTQ community, rape culture, etc. Why do women have to fit a certain standard to be accepted in the hiphop culture? Why are the women who refuse to fit that standard are seen as ‘braking barriers’?
Rapsody is a phenomenal artist, regardless of how she chooses to present herself physically. It can be intimidating for those who have been riding their masculinity so hard, it causes questions within themselves; it could be the cause of her being underappreciated. However, I do not agree with placing her on a pedestal because she chooses to not be ‘sexualized’. Personally, I respect her for her art as well as not downgrading the women who choose to wear less clothes than her or take their music in a different direction. Below is a link to Amber Rose “Slut Walk.” It parallels with the unit we have been discussing because many people misinterpret the vision of the movement. I hope that our class discussions will allow you to see her mission with a different perspective.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pwMFaeLvhQ
http://amberroseslutwalk.com/
In my opinion being "real" is staying true to yourself and never sacrificing your morals for commercial gain. Rapsody embodies that via her subject matter, her appearance and artistry and her actions. In the video she discussed how she was pressured to wear a skirt to appease some listeners but, she refused because, it wouldn't be true to her. I don't they female emcee will ever be in the normative male emcees are looked at because, hip hop is reflection of American culture. In American culture, women are objected marginalized and fall victim to misogyny. Until there is a change in the way women are viewed and treated in society there will be no change in Hip-Hop. If female emcees begun to emerge in a major way on a mainstream level then they would be addressed as such.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E814LrnTNOk
Yes, I do agree that rapsody can be real without being sexualized or queered because she’s very intelligent and aware of her surroundings. She’s her own person and she’s not going to for nobody. In the interview she stated how she met a manger before she met 9th and the manager told her that they was going to doll her up and put her in some heels and she said nah that’s not her. That shows you right there that nobody can change who she is and she’s not going change for anyone either; if she’s not comfortable with it. Rapsody isn't sexual at all which is fine because she's so nice when she opens her mouth, she doesn't have to be sexual. It would never be females seen in gender or normative behavior because that's what sexism sales that's how they make there money by how the way they dress and look. Yes that can be an emcee instead of a femmecee if every female comes together and help one another instead of hating and trying to do things just to get by or throw shade about one another to get more fame. Females is more intimidating because they feel like females doesn't stand in the HH industry. Which fall back on females need to come together and make it where females matter in the industry.
ReplyDeleteQueen Latifah lyrics in this video shows that women can just as much as a man can do and own the stage and be confident in yourself
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDrDtMrGEpY
Yes, I think that Rapsody is an example of a female MC that is real without being sexualized or queered. She said in the interview that she doesn't feel the pressure to dress up, be girly or perfect like the other girls in hiphop. That is not her personality. She would rather be known as the girl next door, the girl that is relatable. Female MC's before Lil Kim like MC Lyte, Queen Latifa, Missy Elliott, Lauren Hill are known for not being sexualized but known for being true to themselves. They are proof that you can be a successful female MC and not be sexualized. I think that society always has to put someone in a box or figure out where someone "fits" so no, I don't think that female MC's will ever be seen without the sexual or gender normative behavior. And yes I think that female MC's can just be MC.
ReplyDeleteI think that Missy Elliott is a great example of a female MC that is not sexualized. In this video below she is just being herself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHcyJPTTn9w
I agree with your statement of how hip hop has to determine who you are by putting someone in a box, because this just helps determine who will actually be relevant in hip hop and who won't. The people in society section out these artists and agree with the male disrespect, so they wait on the hard core aspect from the females in hip hop
DeleteI do believe that she is an example that it is possible to be real in hip hop without having to be sexual, however I feel that women such as her will still be seen as queer because they are going against the norm of what role it is that women should play in hip hop. Women in hip hop will continue to struggle to be taken seriously in hip hop for as long as the industry is viewed as a male dominated industry. Women entering hip hop have to make the choice of what side they will take when they enter the game. They can either go with the male ideal and sexualize themselves or go against the norm and act in a way that may been seen as queer to some. When the industry changes their ideas of what position women have in hip hop, that will be when women no longer have to been seen as queer for making statements that men make all the time. There will no longer have to be that distinction of emcee vs femmecee. The women in hip hop who are seen as queer need to stay real to who they are and continue act in a way in which they want to be viewed in hip hop. Females entering hip hop need to understand that instead of trying to compete with men in this industry they have to create their own lane, and make it so hip hop excepts them. If gender is something that will be used to identify them in hip hop they should use it to their advantage.
ReplyDeleteBelow is link to a short clip of MC Lyte discussing being a female in hip hop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95x8D1WLzfU
yes I believe Rapsody is an indication that women can be real without being sexualized or queered in HH because from the beginning of the interview with the breakfast club Rapsody explains how 9th her manager always believed in her as a rapper. not once did he ever ask her to change her appearance to fit in the norm with other upcoming femecees. The reason why I don't think we hear lot of women artist like rhapsody because they remain underground artist because they aren't producing or selling sex for example Jean Grae. They also discuss how Tink is a really dope artist but we don't hear a lot from her. Overall I do think it is possible for a fememcee to come up with real talent, the artist just has to understand to be true to yourself not let others determine what you will make or break you. below I have attached two clips of Missy Elliot and Jean Grae I believe they are two examples who hasn't become sexualized in the mainstream of HipHop
ReplyDeleteJean Grae: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFz6ECvaiqQ
Missy Elliot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opkRF3UZSJw
Missy Elliot:
I do believe that Rapsody is an indication that women can be "real" without being sexualized or queered in hip hop. I believe this because Rapsody is a woman that speaks her identity from her own personal self. She is not an artist that tries to cover up her personal well-being into somebody that she is not. The majority of female artists today, such as Trina, Nicki Minaj, Remy Ma, etc. are determined to be promiscuos, dominant, aggressive, hardcore, emotionless, etc. These femmecees are ones that appear to be something they araen't, in order to gain relevance for fans and, just in general, in hip hop itself. If it was ever decided for these artist to become emcee or be able to come u for a change, I think that it would be a hard task because I do not think that they will ever be seen without their sexual or gender normative behavior. Females are talked down upon and downgraded in the hip hop world, so they feel as if they have to compete with the males artist, in order to gain the respect that is needed. However, It is the norm for most people now, to listen to a song and automatically know what these artist are referring to, or before the song even plays we already have the mindset of what its going to be about because of the artist who produced it. In conclusion, I feel that female artists have to just learn how to be themselves and figure out what other ways there are to being known in the hip hop industry. They should decide on what will influence them to act on such negative situations. No other artist should be able to determine who another artist is.
ReplyDeleteLauryn Hill is a great example of turning the femmecee into emcee in mainstream Hip Hop
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/aug/21/rocks-back-pages-lauryn-hill
Rapsody is definitely an example of a woman "trying" not to be sexualized or queered within hip-hop; however it is obvious that she is having a harder time getting noticed on a larger scale than a female rapper who is willing to fit the "cookie cutter" image that hip-hop has created for female emcee's. In the interview Rapsody talks about turning down a manager who wanted to "doll her up" and staying true to her beliefs that female rappers do not need to beef with each other. Actions like this indicate that Rapsody is not concerned with following trends or fitting in; she just wants to make good music. In hip-hop, rappers, especially female rappers go to great lengths to be accepted by fans and peers, and I think rapsody is a great example of a different type of femcee; a true individual. I hope that Rapsody can attain a higher level of success and exposure within hip-hip. At that point I would not only feel that she was an example of a female rapper who has kept it "real" but more importantly, one whose career did not suffer because of it.
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/_cq84vVl054
ReplyDeleteThis link corresponds with my blog post. The link leads to a interview with the female rapper "Da brat". I think "Da brat" is a great example of a female MC who has never been overtly sexualized or queered. Although "Da brat" was what we could consider "tomboyish" during her career, she did it during a time where baggy clothes, braids and attitude was very in style for women. Although she had a very rough and tough exterior I believe that "Da Brat" still maintained a certain level of sex appeal; This is why I believed she achieved success while maintaining her individuality.
I do feel that Rapsody is an indication that a female emcee can be mainstream without being sexualized in HH. She keeps it real with herself and who she is and does not let anyone in the industry take that away from her. Although she has maybe not achieved the stardom that some of her more sexualized peers have, she stayed true to herself and who she was before she began rapping. I feel that Rapsody's success is not a direct indication that this type of femcee will become more popular. Historically in most HH generations there has always been one or a few female rappers who sre unique in their own way without sexualizing themselves. There have been rappers such as Missy Elliott or Lauryn Hill that have achieved extreme success while staying true to themselves. Although this is very true the list of successful female rappers who have sexualized and queered themselves is much longer. There may be space in the industry for femcee's similar to Rapsody but not a lot. Most of the female's in the rap industry will still be sexualized and I do not see this changing anytime soon. Here is a link to a video from Rapsody's song "Crown". I enjoyed this video because it was different from most videos released by her peers. The song itself has a positive message and represents the throne that she holds herself to.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAQWa6m2VJU
I definitely believe that Rapsody has set a bar that she can continue to be herself without being sexualized. I think it is also a plus that she has her team behind her from the beginning. She would be able to stand her ground and do what she wants to do with her career with that support system. Whereas, you see other femcees teams and labels tell them how they should dress and what will sell and make them pop. She doesn't care about that. Its all about lyricism and what feels right to her. She states that she didn't base her songs off of what she thought would be a radio hit. Which, most labels do. That stuck out about her to me. I think women can be seen without sexual behavior, they just have to make it a requirement. Women have to set it as a standard and not dim down for any amount of money and just demand that respect. Its all about demeanor and how you come off. If labels think they can run them over, they will. I think there will be those certain Femcees that stick out and will be able to hold the title of emcee, but there will also be those femcee's who will only be known as femcee's. Depending on their flavor, as well as their persona. Also, who they can battle and compete with. I don't think them continuing being known as femcees is a bad thing though. They still have their respect. If they are call emcees they are held to maybe a higher calliber.
ReplyDeleteOne Femcee that comes to mind while watching this interview is definitely Lauryn Hill. I thought of Doo Wop(That Thing). She spoke about the things men and women do for attention and how you don't have to do those things to gain the attention of the right people. Also, she said the people who seek the wrong type of attention usually don't even want that attention they're searching for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5zirRc34Xc